Pages

Friday, July 2, 2010

Swedish Strawberry Cream Cake

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This lovely sponge cake is popular throughout Scandinavia. I learned to make the Swedish version of the cake , called Jordgubbbstårta, the summer of my twelfth birthday. Traditionally, this cake was made for special occasions such as birthdays or national holidays. In summer months the cake was filled with heavy cream and fresh berries. Winter versions were, of course, filled with fruit preserves. While it is simple to make, the cake requires a lot of beating and I suspect that's why it was so seldom made. Although electric mixers became available to homemakers in the early 1930's, they were expensive and few families could afford them. All that changed in 1952 when Sunbeam began to market an affordable hand held electric mixer. That, coincidentally, is the year I first made this cake. Independence Day was a communal holiday in our neighborhood and Mrs. P was responsible for the desserts. She decided to substitute the usual shortcake with her lovely Swedish sponge. She had already made one cake when she asked if I would like to make the second. I was thrilled to pieces and under her watchful eye began to make the second. Now, there is a Tom Sawyer aspect to this tale. I suspect I was given the task because it took so long, even with the electric mixer, to beat the eggs. With her hands free, Mrs. P went on to mix a batch of brownies and the dough for oatmeal cookies, while I carefully held the mixer and watched and waited for the eggs to thicken. They eventually did and the tale ends well. My cake was a triumph. To prevent unnecessary worry, you should know that the cake layers will not dome as they bake. I've also found that the cake is vastly improved if the layers are lightly brushed with orange liqueur or dark rum. The berries I used were super-ripe and packed with flavor, but they tinted the cream pink. If you want a cake with a pure white visage use less ripe berries. The cake will hold nicely for a day or two, but it really wilts as day three approaches. This is a lovely dessert, and if you're looking for a strawberry dessert to replace shortcake, you might want to give this a try. Here's the recipe.

Mixers just like all kitchen appliances make cooking and baking very easy. Sometimes I am thinking of all the generations of women who had to do the same things with less tools available to them. This cake looks awesome.

I always learn so much from reading your posts. The cake is beautiful and my daughter would be so pleased to make this.. her brother's birthday is fast approaching & this would be a great gift from her. Again, it looks so beautiful and delicious!

I love the story of your first time making this cake. Thanks for sharing that! And speaking of the cake.. oh my does that look delicious. I know it's only 6:30 in the morning, but I want a piece of it right now!! I mean strawberries are good for breakfast, right :)

We are big strawberry fans in our family so I had to come back and see what you made with your strawberries!I love the cake and the frozen soufflé, a couple of great recipes and stories you've shared here, thanks Mary! Happy 4th of July:-)

I love your recipes, Mary, but I enjoy your stories as well! This strawberry cake is lovely, though I'm glad I have a mixer to make it in. (It would probably do wonders for my arm muscles to make one by hand!) Thanks for sharing these wonderful strawberry recipes-Betty

Hello, Mary! Thanks for your visit and comment on my blog, Cinara's Place! I've just spent wonderful moments reading your recipes and enjoying your beautiful pictures... Congratulations on your amazing blog! Here in Brazil (at least in the southeast, where I live) it is also strawberry season. So I'll be checking all of your strawberry recipes!Have a wonderful weekend!

Mary!!! This, and then the yogurt... and the relish... and on and on. I will take more time to read more... but I have been so busy and I hate missing your posts. Each is so enjoyable to read and such a work of art... and yummy recipes, too. It is June (or was) - and I teach full time. What more can I say (get a subscribe by e-mail [plug in??)XOvalerie

I found your blog through All Things Yummy & just signed up to follow you! That cake looks delicious! Please stop by and visit me at www.stephaniesavorsthemoment.com. I look forward to your next post - Cheers!

Site Meter

Privacy Policy

This blog does not share personal information with third-parties nor does it store information about your visit for use other than to analyze content performance through the use of cookies, which you can turn off at anytime by modifying your Internet browser's settings. Third party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on a a users prior visits to this website. Google's use of the DoubleClick cookie enables it and its partners to serve ads. This blog is not responsible for the republishing of the content found here on other Web sites or media without the owners permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice